Metro School

On our minds lately has been the looming public vs private school dilemma for the kids.

A big ray of hope these last few weeks has been this proposal for The Metro School, by Dr. William Cala. His idea is inspirational...I hope it becomes a reality:

"The way we have populated our schools is appalling," says Cala "What we have is an economic apartheid. Urban schools do not look like the rest of society, and suburban schools don't either. Both groups of students need to be prepared to enter a global workforce that is multicultural."

Eagle Eye

Yesterday, as an afternoon diversion, I taught Harrison how to have a staring contest. I thought this would be a fun exercise because he is REALLY bad at making eye contact. So I explained it to him, and we played a few times, and he cracked up in hysterics, and of course lost every single round. Then he got a devilish look.

H: I know! Let's have a NON-staring contest.
S: How do you do that?
H: You don't look at each other.
S: Okay, but how will we know who wins?
H: Uh...

So we did.

And he lost.

Waning Days of Summer

A good week. Shucking corn in the yard:

Discovery of Concord Grapes (Mama's favorite):
And what weekend would be complete without pantless recycling?
Goodbye, Summer! Happy Autumn!

Tutti Fruiti

This has been the summer of fresh-picked fruit. We were out of town last weekend and didn't make it to the farm or the farmer's market, but the parents stopped by yesterday on their way home from the local orchard. Now we're faced with the fortunate "problem" of figuring out what to do with several pounds each of peaches and apples (mac, gala, 20 oz), and a quart apiece of plums and late-season red raspberries.

Harrison and I made this super easy raspberry and peach tart tonight. Tastes like summer!

Griffin's First Day of School Photo

Unmentionables

Scene: Target. Harrison walks by lingerie department and points at bras:

"Are those for boobs?"

Checkup

On the drive to school this morning:

S: Grandma's going to pick you up today. Grandpa's got to go to Buffalo.
H: What's Grandpa doing in Buffalo?
S: He has to run some errands and take the car for repair.
H: What's "car repair"?
S: Repair means "fix." Actually, he just needs to get it checked out. Cars need checkups just like people.
H: But...cars don't have hearts!
S: True, but they have engines.
H: Well, that's silly.

First Day of School (the Griffin edition)

Griffin had a great first day of school on Friday!

No crying, no fussing.

According to Ms. Goodwine's status report:

"Mood: Very happy!

Materials worked with: Explored just about everything today.

General: A great first day!"

He was even blasé when Grandma and Grandpa came to pick him up at noon.

I could not have asked for a better result (or less guilt). Phew!

What a trooper!

[will add a picture later]

First Day of School

It's hard to believe that summer is over! 

Harrison's first day back to school was today. I can't believe what a big boy he's become. Here he is in the outfit he picked and layed out the night before. Our Montessori school doesn't allow any distracting clothing, so anything with logos, characters, numbers, etc. is out. As it states in the parent handbook: "Simple clothing allows the natural beauty of the child to show through." 

Looking at our handsome boy, so excited for his first day back, Doug and I couldn't agree more! (Here he is on the first day of school last year.)

(Griffin starts in the Montessori toddler community on Friday. I'm trying to work through the anxiety I'm feeling about that. He'll be fine....right?)